The San Jacinto Leadership Academy Lions are taking a road trip to take on the Temecula Prep Patriots at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty run totals in their previous games.
As a matter of fact, San Jacinto Leadership Academy put up the most runs they have all season on Monday. Everything went their way against Sherman Indian as they made off with a 15-1 win. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Anthony Paez was a major factor no matter where he played. He didn't allow a single earned run while striking out 13 over five innings pitched. Paez was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of his four plate appearances with three runs and one triple. Those three runs gave him a new career-high.
Aiden Westover
| 04/28/25 @ Sherman Indian | 4 |
| 04/21/25 @ Hamilton | 2 |
| 04/18/25 vs Desert Christian Academy | 2 |
| 04/14/25 vs Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School | 2 |
| 03/12/25 vs San Jacinto Valley Academy | 2 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Aiden Westover, who went 3-for-4 with five stolen bases, four runs, and three RBI. Those four runs gave him a new career-high. Sebastian Carillo also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
Temecula Prep hadn't beaten Santa Rosa Academy on the road since March 15, 2022 but that history sure didn't bother them on Monday. The Patriots blew past the Rangers 10-1. The Patriots might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten matches by six runs or more this season.
Like San Jacinto Leadership Academy, Temecula Prep also got a great game from a two-way player: Nikolaz Gonzalez. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings while giving up just one earned run off four hits. Gonzalez has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in five consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other batting news, Noah Scarlett was incredible, getting on base in all four of his plate appearances with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Temecula Prep's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 5-6 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Braden Litt, who went 1-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and one stolen base.
Temecula Prep always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .528. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Santa Rosa Academy only posted an OBP of .385.
Temecula Prep has been performing well recently as they've won five of their last six contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 15-6 record this season. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.8 runs on average over those games. As for San Jacinto Leadership Academy, the victory was the third in a row for them, bringing their record up to 3-10.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Wednesday as neither team is afraid to steal. San Jacinto Leadership Academy has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.6 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Temecula Prep struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.2 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
San Jacinto Leadership Academy might still be hurting after the 12-2 loss they got from Temecula Prep in their previous matchup back in March. Can the Lions avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
